The Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online has taken the gaming world by storm, offering players a lucrative and exciting way to earn money. Among the various primary targets available, the Ruby Necklace stands out as a consistent and relatively easy option. But is it truly worth your time? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the pros and cons of targeting the Ruby Necklace, provide strategies for maximizing your profits, and share insights from experienced players.
What is the Ruby Necklace?
The Ruby Necklace is one of the primary targets in the Cayo Perico Heist. It’s a valuable piece of jewelry that can be found in El Rubio’s safe within his compound. The necklace is described as a stunning piece adorned with large, blood-red rubies – a testament to El Rubio’s extravagant lifestyle and ill-gotten gains.
Where to Find the Ruby Necklace
During the heist, you’ll need to infiltrate El Rubio’s compound and make your way to his office. The safe containing the Ruby Necklace is located behind a painting on the wall. To access it, you’ll need to complete the fingerprint cloner hack, which can be challenging for newcomers but becomes easier with practice.
I remember my first time attempting to steal the Ruby Necklace. The tension was palpable as I snuck through the compound, dodging guards and security cameras. When I finally reached El Rubio’s office, my hands were shaking as I attempted the fingerprint hack. It took a few tries, but the satisfaction of hearing that safe click open was incomparable.
Popular Jewelry Pie Chart
Value of the Ruby Necklace
Understanding the value of the Ruby Necklace is crucial in determining whether it’s a worthwhile target for your heist. Let’s break down its base value and compare it to other primary targets.
Base Value
The Ruby Necklace has a base value of $1,000,000 when playing on Normal difficulty. This increases to $1,100,000 on Hard mode. It’s important to note that these values are before any cuts are taken by your crew or Pavel.
Comparison to Other Primary Targets
To truly understand if the Ruby Necklace is a good target, we need to compare it to the other primary targets available in the Cayo Perico Heist. Here’s a breakdown:
| Primary Target | Normal Mode Value | Hard Mode Value |
|---|---|---|
| Sinsimito Tequila | $900,000 | $990,000 |
| Ruby Necklace | $1,000,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Bearer Bonds | $1,100,000 | $1,210,000 |
| Pink Diamond | $1,300,000 | $1,430,000 |
| Panther Statue (Special Event) | $1,900,000 | $2,090,000 |
As we can see, the Ruby Necklace sits comfortably in the middle of the pack. It’s more valuable than the Sinsimito Tequila but less valuable than the Bearer Bonds, Pink Diamond, and the rare Panther Statue.
Pros of Targeting the Ruby Necklace
While the Ruby Necklace may not be the most valuable target, it has several advantages that make it an attractive option for many players. Let’s explore the pros of targeting this glittering piece of jewelry.
Decent Payout
With a base value of $1,000,000 on Normal mode and $1,100,000 on Hard mode, the Ruby Necklace offers a respectable payout. For solo players or those just starting with the Cayo Perico Heist, this can be a significant amount of money, especially when combined with secondary targets.
I remember my early days of grinding the Cayo Perico Heist. Landing the Ruby Necklace felt like hitting the jackpot. That million-dollar payout was more than enough to fund my next business venture and upgrade my vehicles.
Relatively Easy to Steal
Compared to some other targets, the Ruby Necklace is straightforward to steal. It doesn’t require any special equipment or approach, unlike the Panther Statue, which is only available during special events. Once you’ve mastered the fingerprint hack, grabbing the necklace becomes a quick and simple process.
Consistent Spawn Location
One of the biggest advantages of the Ruby Necklace is its consistent spawn location. Unlike secondary targets that can appear in various places around the island, the Ruby Necklace is always in El Rubio’s safe. This consistency allows you to plan your route efficiently and execute your heist with precision.
Cons of Targeting the Ruby Necklace
While the Ruby Necklace has its merits, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks before deciding if it’s the right target for you. Let’s examine the cons of focusing on this particular piece of loot.
Lower Value Compared to Some Other Targets
The most obvious disadvantage of the Ruby Necklace is its lower value compared to targets like the Bearer Bonds, Pink Diamond, and Panther Statue. If you’re aiming to maximize your profits, you might feel disappointed when the Ruby Necklace appears as your primary target.
I’ve had my fair share of moments where I’ve sighed in frustration upon seeing the Ruby Necklace during the scope out mission. The temptation to cancel the heist and try for a better target is always there, but it’s important to weigh the time investment against the potential gains.
Potential for Better Loot
Knowing that there are more valuable targets available can make settling for the Ruby Necklace feel like a compromise. Some players prefer to reset their heist until they get a higher-value target, which can be time-consuming but potentially more profitable in the long run.
Strategies for Maximizing Profit
While the Ruby Necklace may not be the most valuable primary target, there are several strategies you can employ to maximize your profits and make the most of your heist. Let’s explore some effective approaches to boost your earnings.
Combining with Valuable Secondary Targets
One of the keys to a successful and profitable Cayo Perico Heist is not just focusing on the primary target but also collecting valuable secondary loot. Here are some tips for maximizing your secondary target haul:
- Prioritize cocaine: Among the secondary targets, cocaine offers the highest value per unit of space in your loot bag.
- Check the airport hangar: This location often spawns valuable secondary loot and is relatively easy to access.
- Don’t ignore the main dock: While it might be out of your escape route, the main dock frequently has good secondary targets.
- Fill your bag: Always aim to fill your loot bag to capacity before leaving the island.
I once had a Ruby Necklace heist where I managed to fill my bag with cocaine from the airport hangar. The combined value of the primary and secondary loot made it one of my most profitable runs, despite not having a top-tier primary target.
Solo vs. Team Considerations
The Ruby Necklace can be a good option for both solo players and teams, but your approach should differ based on your group size.
Solo Strategies
When playing solo, your primary focus should be on efficiency and stealth. Here are some tips:
- Use the Kosatka approach vehicle for easy access to the drainage tunnel entry point.
- Prioritize getting to the primary target quickly and quietly.
- Fill your loot bag with the best available secondary targets on your way out.
- Consider using the motorcycle at the main dock for a quick escape.
Team Strategies
With a team, you have more flexibility in your approach and can potentially gather more secondary loot. Consider these strategies:
- Split up to cover more ground and collect secondary targets faster.
- Have one player focus on hacking and retrieving the primary target while others gather secondary loot.
- Coordinate your escape to ensure everyone reaches the exit point safely.
I’ve found that a well-coordinated team can turn a Ruby Necklace heist into a highly profitable venture, often rivaling the payouts of higher-value primary targets.
Community Opinions
The GTA Online community has diverse opinions on the Ruby Necklace as a primary target for the Cayo Perico Heist. Let’s explore what experienced players have to say and examine some popular strategies involving this particular loot.
What Experienced Players Say
Opinions on the Ruby Necklace vary among seasoned Cayo Perico Heist veterans. Here’s a summary of common perspectives:
| Opinion | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| It’s a solid, reliable target | Consistent spawn, decent value, and easy to obtain |
| Not worth the effort | Lower value compared to Bearer Bonds or Pink Diamond |
| Good for beginners | Offers a balance of accessibility and reward |
| Acceptable for quick runs | Can be efficiently completed for regular income |
Many experienced players emphasize that the real profit in Cayo Perico comes from efficient execution and maximizing secondary targets, regardless of the primary loot.
I’ve spoken with numerous high-level players who don’t bat an eye at getting the Ruby Necklace. They view it as an opportunity to challenge themselves to execute a perfect run and maximize their secondary loot haul.
Popular Strategies Involving the Ruby Necklace
Several strategies have emerged within the community for making the most of a Ruby Necklace heist:
- Speed Running: Some players use the Ruby Necklace as an opportunity to perfect their speed running techniques, aiming to complete the heist as quickly as possible.
- Secondary Loot Focus: Many players shift their focus to obtaining the best possible secondary loot, treating the Ruby Necklace as a bonus rather than the main prize.
- Hard Mode Grinding: Some players prefer to accept the Ruby Necklace on Hard mode for the slight increase in payout, rather than resetting the heist and potentially getting a worse target on Normal mode.
- Elite Challenge Completion: The Ruby Necklace’s lower value can make it easier to complete the Elite Challenge (finishing under 15 minutes with full loot bags and no alerts), which offers a significant bonus.
One strategy I’ve found particularly effective is combining a speed run approach with a focus on elite challenge completion. By perfecting my route and prioritizing valuable secondary targets, I’ve managed to turn Ruby Necklace heists into highly profitable ventures.
Maximizing Efficiency in Ruby Necklace Heists
To truly determine if the Ruby Necklace is a good target for Cayo Perico, we need to consider how to maximize efficiency during these heists. By optimizing your approach, you can significantly increase your profits and make the Ruby Necklace a worthwhile pursuit.
Optimizing Your Approach
The key to a successful Ruby Necklace heist lies in your approach. Here are some tips to optimize your strategy:
- Use the Kosatka submarine as your approach vehicle
- Enter through the drainage tunnel for quick access to the compound
- Memorize guard patterns to avoid detection
- Practice the fingerprint hack to minimize time spent in the office
- Plan your exit route based on secondary target locations
I’ve found that consistently using the same approach helps build muscle memory, allowing you to execute the heist more quickly and efficiently with each attempt.
Time Management
Efficient time management is crucial for maximizing your profits in a Ruby Necklace heist. Here’s a breakdown of how you might allocate your time:
| Activity | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Infiltration | 2-3 minutes |
| Reaching the office | 1-2 minutes |
| Hacking and obtaining the Ruby Necklace | 1-2 minutes |
| Exiting the compound | 1-2 minutes |
| Collecting secondary targets | 3-5 minutes |
| Escaping the island | 1-2 minutes |
With practice, you can complete a Ruby Necklace heist in under 15 minutes, qualifying for the Elite Challenge bonus.
Balancing Risk and Reward
While speed is important, it’s equally crucial to balance risk and reward. Here are some factors to consider:
- Weigh the potential extra loot against the risk of detection
- Decide whether it’s worth exploring multiple locations for secondary targets
- Consider the trade-off between a faster completion time and a fuller loot bag
In my experience, it’s often worth spending an extra minute or two to fill your loot bag completely, even if it means missing out on the Elite Challenge. The additional secondary loot can often outweigh the time bonus.
The Impact of Updates on Ruby Necklace Heists
Rockstar Games frequently updates GTA Online, and these updates can have a significant impact on the Cayo Perico Heist, including heists targeting the Ruby Necklace. It’s important to stay informed about these changes to adapt your strategies accordingly.
Recent Updates and Their Effects
While I can’t provide information on specific updates after my knowledge cutoff in April 2024, it’s worth noting that updates typically focus on:
- Balancing payouts for different targets
- Adjusting the frequency of certain primary targets
- Changing guard patterns or security measures
- Adding new secondary targets or loot locations
- Introducing new approach vehicles or equipment
These updates can significantly change the value proposition of the Ruby Necklace relative to other targets. It’s always a good idea to check the latest patch notes and community discussions after each update.
Adapting to Changes
To ensure the Ruby Necklace remains a viable target, consider the following strategies for adapting to updates:
- Regularly check for new optimal routes or entry points
- Experiment with new equipment or vehicles as they’re introduced
- Stay informed about changes to loot values and adjust your priorities accordingly
- Participate in community discussions to learn new strategies and share your own insights
I’ve found that staying flexible and open to new approaches is key to maintaining profitability, regardless of which primary target you’re dealing with.
The Psychological Aspect of Ruby Necklace Heists
While we’ve discussed the practical aspects of targeting the Ruby Necklace, it’s also worth considering the psychological impact of repeatedly running this heist. Your mindset can significantly affect your enjoyment and, ultimately, your success rate.
Maintaining Motivation
Seeing the Ruby Necklace as your primary target repeatedly can be demotivating, especially if you’re hoping for a higher-value item. Here are some strategies to keep yourself motivated:
- Set personal challenges, such as beating your best time or achieving a perfect stealth run
- Focus on the cumulative profits over multiple heists rather than individual payouts
- Vary your approach and equipment to keep things interesting
- Celebrate small victories, like finding valuable secondary loot or executing a perfect hack
I’ve found that setting personal goals, like aiming to earn a certain amount within a week, helps me stay motivated even when I get a string of Ruby Necklace heists.
The Grind vs. Enjoyment Balance
It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing the Cayo Perico Heist as a grind, especially when targeting the Ruby Necklace. However, maintaining a balance between efficiency and enjoyment is crucial for long-term success. Consider the following:
| Aspect | Grind Focus | Enjoyment Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Always use the fastest method | Experiment with different entry points |
| Secondary Targets | Only go for the most valuable | Explore the island and discover new locations |
| Frequency | Run heists back-to-back | Take breaks and enjoy other aspects of the game |
| Mindset | Focus solely on profit | Appreciate the heist’s design and challenge |
Striking a balance between these approaches can help prevent burnout and keep the Ruby Necklace heists enjoyable in the long run.
Comparing Ruby Necklace Heists to Other Money-Making Methods
To truly answer whether the Ruby Necklace is good for Cayo Perico, we need to compare it to other money-making methods in GTA Online. This comparison will help you decide if targeting the Ruby Necklace is worth your time.
Cayo Perico vs. Other Heists
Let’s compare the Ruby Necklace Cayo Perico Heist to other popular heists in GTA Online:
| Heist | Avg. Payout (Solo) | Time Investment | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayo Perico (Ruby Necklace) | $1.3M – $1.8M | 1-2 hours (inc. prep) | Medium |
| Diamond Casino Heist | $1.5M – $2.5M | 2-3 hours (inc. prep) | High |
| Doomsday Heist | N/A (not solo-able) | 5-6 hours | Very High |
| Original Heists | N/A (not solo-able) | Varies | Medium-High |
As we can see, even with the Ruby Necklace, Cayo Perico offers a competitive payout for the time invested, especially considering its solo-friendly nature.
Cayo Perico vs. Business Activities
Now, let’s compare the Ruby Necklace heist to other business activities in GTA Online:
| Activity | Avg. Hourly Profit | Initial Investment | Active/Passive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayo Perico (Ruby Necklace) | $600K – $900K | High ($2.2M for Kosatka) | Active |
| Vehicle Cargo | $200K – $400K | Medium ($1.5M for office + warehouse) | Active |
| Bunker | $50K – $100K | High ($1.2M – $4M) | Semi-Passive |
| Nightclub | $40K – $80K | Very High ($5M+) | Passive |
The Ruby Necklace Cayo Perico Heist stands out as one of the most profitable activities in terms of hourly rate, even when compared to well-established businesses.
Long-Term Profitability of Ruby Necklace Heists
When considering whether the Ruby Necklace is a good target for Cayo Perico, it’s essential to look at the long-term profitability. Let’s break down the potential earnings over time and compare them to the initial investment.
Initial Investment vs. Returns
The main investment for Cayo Perico Heists is the Kosatka submarine, which costs around $2,200,000. Here’s how quickly you can recoup this investment with Ruby Necklace heists:
| Number of Heists | Total Profit (Approx.) | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,500,000 | 2 hours |
| 2 | $3,000,000 | 4 hours |
| 3 | $4,500,000 | 6 hours |
| 4 | $6,000,000 | 8 hours |
As we can see, you can potentially recoup your initial investment in just 3-4 successful heists, which is quite rapid compared to other businesses in GTA Online.
Consistency and Reliability
One of the key advantages of the Ruby Necklace heists is their consistency. Unlike businesses that require supply runs or have variable selling missions, the Cayo Perico Heist offers a reliable and repeatable source of income. This consistency allows for better long-term planning and steady progress towards your financial goals in GTA Online.
In my experience, the reliability of Ruby Necklace heists has made them a go-to method for funding other ventures in the game. Even if it’s not the highest-paying target, knowing I can consistently earn over a million dollars in a relatively short time is incredibly valuable.
The Role of Skill Development in Ruby Necklace Heists
An often overlooked aspect of repeatedly running Ruby Necklace heists is the opportunity for skill development. As you become more proficient, your earnings potential increases, making the Ruby Necklace an increasingly attractive target.
Areas of Skill Improvement
Here are some key skills you can develop through Ruby Necklace heists:
- Stealth gameplay and guard pattern recognition
- Efficient navigation of the island and compound
- Quick and accurate hacking
- Time management and route optimization
- Adaptability to different secondary target spawns
I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my overall GTA Online skills since I started regularly running Cayo Perico Heists. The stealth and hacking skills, in particular, have proven useful in other missions and heists.
Impact on Profitability
As your skills improve, you’ll see a direct impact on your profitability. Here’s a rough progression you might expect:
| Skill Level | Avg. Completion Time | Avg. Total Take |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20-25 minutes | $1,300,000 – $1,500,000 |
| Intermediate | 15-20 minutes | $1,500,000 – $1,700,000 |
| Advanced | 10-15 minutes | $1,700,000 – $1,900,000 |
| Expert | Under 10 minutes | $1,800,000 – $2,000,000 |
This progression demonstrates that even with the Ruby Necklace as your primary target, there’s significant room for increasing your profits through skill improvement.
Conclusion: Is Ruby Necklace Good for Cayo Perico?
After this comprehensive analysis, we can conclude that the Ruby Necklace is indeed a good target for the Cayo Perico Heist, albeit with some caveats.
Pros:
- Consistent and reliable source of income
- Relatively easy to obtain compared to some other targets
- Allows for quick completion times, facilitating repeated runs
- Provides a good balance of risk and reward
- Offers opportunities for skill development and strategy refinement
Cons:
- Lower base value compared to some other primary targets
- May feel less exciting or rewarding than rarer, higher-value targets
- Requires efficient secondary loot collection to maximize profits
Ultimately, whether the Ruby Necklace is “good” for Cayo Perico depends on your personal goals, play style, and circumstances. For players looking for a reliable, efficient money-making method that they can repeat consistently, Ruby Necklace heists are an excellent choice. The key is to view it as part of a larger money-making strategy rather than a jackpot opportunity.
My personal take? I’ve come to appreciate the Ruby Necklace for what it is – a solid, dependable target that allows me to hone my skills and steadily build my in-game wealth. While I still get excited when I see a Pink Diamond or Bearer Bonds, I no longer groan at the sight of the Ruby Necklace. Instead, I see it as a challenge to perfect my run and maximize my secondary take.
Remember, in the world of GTA Online, consistent income often trumps occasional big scores. The Ruby Necklace, with its balance of accessibility and decent payout, embodies this principle perfectly. So the next time you see that gleaming red jewel in your scope, don’t despair – embrace the opportunity and make the most of your Cayo Perico Heist!